(CNN) - Under fire for allegations of ethical violations, New York Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel told reporters Monday that he has no intention of stepping down as chairman of the key tax writing committee in the House.

"I don't see what purpose that would serve," Rangel said as he left a press conference with a group of Mayors. "I don't think reporters should be in the position of removing Chairmen.”

Recently press reports raised questions about Rangel's support for a tax break for a company that contributed to an academic center bearing his name and his campaign fund’s $80,000 payment to his son for designing his campaign Web site. The House ethics committee is already investigating Rangel for failing to pay taxes on a vacation home, using a rent controlled apartment for his political committee, and his use of official congressional stationary to solicit funds for the academic center.

Asked if the ethics committee should investigate the latest allegations, Rangel replied, "they should investigate everything that's been said."

Lashing out at the most recent report appearing in Politico that Rangel paid his son $80,000 to design his campaign Web site, a fee that experts say was legal but excessively high, Rangel said, "I think the reporter should crawl from under his rock and apologize to my son."

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg meanwhile praised Rangel and said he continues to be a valuable ally for New York City.

To all the "out of staters" in this discusssion – this is NY Democrat politics as usual in this state. Good old Tammany Hall politics and nepotism is alive and well and living in Albany.

December 8, 2008 03:49 pm at 3:49 pm |

Virginia

To ch-John McCain is a decorated war hero himself, so why don't you respect him like you do Charlie Rangel? I don't think McCain has been up on any ethics charges, so I say good riddance to ol' Charlie!

December 8, 2008 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |

sglman4Obama

Chuck Rangel is starting to look and smell like he predecessor Adam Clayton Powell Jr.? Too much hold on the black community and you abuse it ! Step down Charlie and let the next genrational of intelligent well respected educated black men and women take the reins and get it done under president Obama. much like Jesse, you a relic and are tainted by your "undercover' activities. Do us as blacks a favor and step aside, while we still respect you.

December 8, 2008 03:58 pm at 3:58 pm |

Donna

he doesn't need to step down unless he is proven to have broken the law...folks have been getting away with things for years..Rangel isn't scared of folks..he won't go down without a fight....

December 8, 2008 04:00 pm at 4:00 pm |

Shirley-Ohio

No need to step down. You do not need to step down.

December 8, 2008 04:10 pm at 4:10 pm |

tmaz

How can Mayor Bloomberg praise Rep. Charlie Rangel? I guess it is acceptable to act unethically as long as you balance it out with good deeds.

December 8, 2008 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm |

Dr. Stoner

Charlie you got caught fess up and take the medicine. No moving on up to the east side without paying for your, well you know the right thing to do. Don't disappoint New Yorkers pal take it and pay for it and we all move on. period.

December 8, 2008 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |

Precious Coker, NY

My friends, If Charlie's son is competent to design a website why out-source it?

Moreover, the guy says bring it on, I am sure he knows he has enough to defend himself.

This is a non-issue and until newspapers/journalist and bloggers are held to writing the truth, then they should not be a reliable source.

Politico bloggers are small minded, big cry babies most of the time

December 8, 2008 04:33 pm at 4:33 pm |

Get over it

This guy is a crook and should be in jail for the MILLIONS that he made off the the FAILED Freddie Mac / Fanny Mae debackle.

I bet that the democrats don't even push for an investigation into his illegal dealings.

December 8, 2008 04:35 pm at 4:35 pm |

Mike, Syracuse NY

If Rangel were a white conservative Republican the liberals would be all over him to resign. But I guess if you are a black, liberal Democrat, you are bulletproof. He's a great successor to the most corrupt politician of all time, Adam Clayton Powell.

December 8, 2008 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |

big papa

Look's like we've got a lot of southern "confederates" on this board,

who are inconsolable...

Rangel ain't goin' nowhere Johnny Rebs...

December 8, 2008 04:48 pm at 4:48 pm |

jrzshor

stepping down?!

i thought that being a senator was a job for life.

Let's call it the house of Lords and be done with the pretense of elections for these lifers.

December 8, 2008 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |

Jack Mehoff

LIAR!! THIEF!!

December 8, 2008 04:58 pm at 4:58 pm |

mike

Show me someone who thinks Charlie Rangel should be found guilty of the things he is accused without due process of the law and i'll show you someone who actually thinks Sean Hannidy is a great American. Anytime a Dem is accused of anything by the conservative news media the right wing bed wetters come out of the wood work. Hrow up!